I was initially kind of aggravated about the trade...not so much the conditional pick, but wanting to see what Reid could do over a full year.

Rossum is steady and experienced at fielding punts, because, well, he has experience fielding punts. Dude can't get better during games if he doesn't get to play in games, so I can't blame Reid.

That said, I admit it IS nice to know that you have a guy who is absolutely capable back there returning. And, if Reid ISN'T suffering from a post-injury lack of speed, perhaps Rossum can help mentor him (kind of like how Bettis helped with the maturation of FWP).

Perhaps I'm stubborn, but I still would like to see what Reid can do when he gets to play for a sustained period of time. Once Rossum gets old and slows down, of course!

One point: I know it's a conditional pick, but what are the conditions, and how high a pick did we give up? I'd be thrilled if we gave up a 6, but furious if we gave up a 4 or higher.

Logged

"Dreith said I hit Sipe too hard. I hit him as hard as I could. Brian has a chance to go out of bounds and he decides not to. He knows I'm going to hit him. And I do. History."- - - Jack Lambert, after referee Ben Dreith ejected him from a game for knocking out Browns QB Brian Sipe.

Much has been made that it was the Steelers' first kickoff return for a TD in five seasons. It also was Rossum's first kickoff return for a TD in five years, and his first return of any kind for a TD in three years. Santonio Holmes returned a punt for a touchdown last year and averaged more than 10 yards a punt return. Rossum, who has not averaged more than 10 yards a punt return in the previous two seasons, has six punt returns this year for 2.7-yard average, including one of minus-four on Sunday. Rossum has been a wonderful kickoff and punt returner, but I think the Steelers already had one.

One has to wonder about the qulaity of Douchette's insight when all he can do is spout vaguely related numbers, without placing them in context.

One also notices a distinct sweeping-under-the-rug of Holmes' return-game deficiencies, such as putting the ball on the ground and conceding field position through his decision making.

Tomlin's right. Holmes should focus on that. Having him practice punt and kick returns is a waste of resources, I think. Also the injury risk.

No offense, Herc, but I'm calling BS on that one. If Tomlin thought that Holmes could do the job, he'd be back there. Returning the ball should not have any negative impact on his receiving. Fact is that, as spectacular as he might be, Holmes can't be trusted to handle the football and Tomlin isn't going to tolerate that. "He needs to concentrate on receiver" is a nice way of saying "I don't want him back there dropping the ball on the F-ing ground."